Johnny Depp forced from Fantastic Beasts but vows to clear his name

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in the next "Fantastic Beasts" film. Warner Bros.

Mads Mikkelsen will officially take over as Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts movie, following the ousting of Johnny Depp.Warner Bros. Pictures confirmed the news to Deadline on Wednesday, November 25.Depp, 57, starred in 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Well, it’s official, Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp as the villain Gellert Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts 3.” It’s certainly an upgrade for the franchise, especially all the drama surrounding Johnny Depp and his various libel lawsuits against media outlets and his ex-wife Amber Heard. Still, it’s debatable if it’s an upgrade for the Danish actor himself (then again, after Marvel and “Star Wars,” maybe he’s turning into a franchise guy).

There's been a ton of buzz surrounding Fantastic Beasts 3 owing to Johnny Depp, who fans saw as Gellert Grindelwald in the popular franchise. After losing his libel suit against a British publication, who called him a "wife beater" in regards to his troubled marriage with Amber Heard, Depp revealed that he was asked by Warner Bros.

Mads Mikkelsen is reacting to the rumor that he is taking over the role of Gellert Grindelwald from Johnny Depp in the third Fantastic Beasts movie.

A week or so ago, Warner Bros. and Johnny Depp announced that the actor would be departing his most famous current role, as Grindelwald in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

While the debate over Johnny Depp's resignation and being recast as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise is still ongoing, co-star Jude Law, who plays Albus Dumbledore, weighed in on what he felt about the entire controversy. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Law spoke about how Fantastic Beasts is an enormous film and there are many, many layers to it.For Jude, it's one of the biggest productions that he's ever worked on.

What may be one of the best casting upgrades in recent memory, it appears Mads Mikkelsen is in talks to replace Johnny Depp as the villain Gellert Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts 3.” READ MORE: Johnny Depp Resigns From ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Role At The Request Of Warner Bros.; New Sequel Gets Delayed To 2022 Deadline reports that “Hannibal” actor Mads Mikkelsen is the top choice to take over the role of Grindelwald in the next installment of the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.

It has been a few rough weeks for Johnny Depp. The actor faced defeat in the libel case where he sued a UK publication for deeming him a "wife beater".

A few days back, Johnny Depp had made the shocking revelation that Warner Bros. had asked him to resign from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts, a request which the 57-year-old actor has respected and agreed upon.

Following its very public drama with Johnny Depp who exited the franchise, Warner Bros.’ has delayed the release of “Fantastic Beasts 3” from its originally intentioned November 2021 premiere, to July 15, 2022.

The third Fantastic Beasts movie has been moved from November 2021 to July 22, 2022 amid the news that Johnny Depp would be recast after he was forced to resign from the movie.

It’s shaping up to be “angry, litigious white dudes lose their jobs” day!

Johnny Depp has been forced to quit his role in the Fantastic Beasts film after losing his High Court libel case. The actor said he had agreed to step down from the Harry Potter franchise as he criticised the "surreal judgement" against him in a lengthy social media post.